Sandal savers

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a strap fastener configured for use with thong or flip flop style sandals. Sandal Savers wrap around a wearer&#39;s heel and connects by a hook to existing side straps extending from the toe divider post, adding a secure heel strap that prevents a sandal from sliding off one&#39;s foot. Each Sandal Saver is one piece, comprised of an elongated piece of stretchy elastic or comparable banding. To facilitate a firm and secure hold during wear, a button adjuster knob is secured over the toe strap center, allowing a user to loosen or tighten the strap as necessary.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/810,646 filed Apr. 10, 2013, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “Sandal Savers.”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of shoe wear accessories, and more specifically to the field of sandal and flip flop accessories.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art has put forth several designs for sandal and flip flop accessories. Among these are:

U.S. Pat. No. 7,823,299 to John P. Brigham describes an interchangeable flip flop or sandal footwear that is capable of inter conversion between a flip flop and a sandal by movement of a heel or forefoot band between a first stored position and a second in use position. In the first stored position, the heel or forefoot band is movably stored adjacent to the heel portion of the sole. In the second in use position, the heel or forefoot band is placed on the user's foot as described herein. In one embodiment, the flip flop or sandal comprises a sole, a forefoot cover, at least one of a heel band and a forefoot band, each of which being capable of movement between a first stored and a second in-use position. At least one central member is rotatably secured and received by the sole, said central member being in removable communication with the heel band or forefoot band and at least one void or indentation in the sole to rotatably receive and secure the central member.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,309,886 to Nancy M. Buck describes a stabilizing device for V strap sandals wherein the device is engageable with the thong and strap for impeding movement between a wearer's foot and the sandal, and connection means for releasably connecting the stabilizing device to a V strap sandal.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,051,610 to Yoshihiro Shigeji describes a sandal which is formed with a sole member and a thong member removably attached to the sole member for holding a sandal wearer's foot against the sole member. The thong member is fitted alternatively over only the wearer's instep or a portion of the thong member is withdrawn from a position of covering the wearer's instep and is positioned around the wearer's heel.

None of these prior art references describe the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a strap fastener for thong or flip flop style sandals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustrative top down diagonal view showing a strap fastener having thong hooks and a fastener for tightening or loosening the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional back diagonal view showing the present invention attached to a flip flop on an individual's left foot.

FIG. 3 is a functional front diagonal view showing the present invention attached to a flip flop on an individual's left foot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The summer months are a favorite time of year for countless consumers. Embarking on a much needed family vacation, basking in the sun or enjoying the outdoors by taking a leisurely stroll through a neighborhood park are a few ways in which people enjoy sunny summer days. Because an onset of summer typically results in a shift from cool rainy weather to days of intense heat and bright sunshine, most people adjust their wardrobes accordingly. Simply by wearing a tank top, pair of shorts, T shirt or a sundress, a person can spend long hours under a hot sun in relative comfort. A favorite summer accessory is a pair of thong or flip flop sandals.

Open toe or backless shoes that allow one's feet to breathe freely, thongs are the perfect accessory for any summer ensemble. A comfortable alternative to wearing leather or canvas shoes, thongs and flip flops are a sporty and functional accessory which are worn for everything from an afternoon at the beach to an outdoor evening wedding. Although thongs and flip flops are fashionable shoes which help keep one's feet cool in summertime, wearing these sandals has drawbacks. Many people find that two toe straps for holding sandals in place over their feet are inadequate in keeping flip flops secure during wear. Consumers who suffer various maladies of the foot or limited mobility compromise their strength and have difficulty in gripping toe straps between their first and second toes. Often, individuals are unable to comfortably hold on to their flip flops during wear, causing them to inadvertently step out of flip flops which creates serious tripping hazards. This problem occurs after wearing flip flops for extended periods, because one's feet are tired and fatigued as a result of excessive activity.

The present invention, hereafter referred to as Sandal Savers, is a strap fastener 10 configured for use with thong or flip flop style sandals, wherein the sandals comprise a sole, a toe divider post and two side straps extending from the toe divider post and fastening to the sole approximately midway between the toe and the heel of the sole. The Sandal Savers wrap around a wearer's heel and connect to existing side straps 12 extending from the toe divider post, adding a secure heel strap that prevents a sandal from sliding off one's foot. Each Sandal Saver is one piece, comprised of an elongated piece of stretchy elastic or comparable banding that is sized appropriately to bridge the distance between a side strap 21 extending from a toe divider post around a wearer's heel and back to the a second side strap 12 extending from the toe divider post. To facilitate a firm and secure hold during wear, a cylindrically shaped button adjuster knob 14 is secured over the toe strap center, allowing a user to loosen or tighten the strap as necessary. Positioned on each end of the strap of the present invention is a lightweight plastic or rubber hook like fastener 18 that is affixed near the base of each side strap extending from the toe divider post, securing the Sandal Savers in place on the foot. Sandal Savers are manufactured in a variety of neutral hues and vibrant colors to complement existing flip flops and thongs. The adjustable fasteners utilized to secure Sandal Savers are manufactured in contrasting or coordinating colors to the strap, lending a decorative touch to the overall design of the unit. Sandal Savers are produced in three different sizes to accommodate adults, teens and children. Sandals Savers are available in sets of two per container and also in family packs with multiple sets per pack.

Application and use of a Sandal Saver is simple and straight forward. A user purchases a set of Sandal Savers in a desired size and color. To apply Sandal Savers to their sandals, the user first dons their flip flops or thong sandals as usual. Grasping a single Sandal Saver in hand, the user applies the present invention to their right or left flip flop. The user secures one of the hook fasteners located at each end of the Sandal Saver to the base of the flip flop's exterior side strap and then wraps the Sandal Saver around the back of their foot, positioning the present invention slightly above the heel at the back of the ankle. The user secures the second hook fastener positioned at the opposite end of the Sandal Saver near the base of the interior side flip flop strap. The user grasps an adjustment knob in the center of the Sandal Saver and slides the knob towards the foot to tighten the strap or away from the foot to loosen the strap, thus enabling the user to customize the Sandal Saver for a secure and comfortable fit. This application process is repeated with the remaining Sandal Saver and flip flop. Properly applied, Sandal Savers provide reliable heel straps to the back of the wearer's flip flops or sandals that keep the wearer's sandals safely secured regardless of activity level. The Sandal Savers can be removed or left in place throughout the lifetime of the sandals and are easily loosened and tightened to remove or reapply one's footwear.

Sandal Savers comprise cushiony soft padded strap fasteners which wrap about the heel and serve to keep the thong or flip flop style sandals comfortably secured over one's foot at all times. Whether spending a long day on one's feet or engaged in activities that easily cause one's flip flops to become loose or fall off their feet such as walking on sand or playing on a swing set, Sandal Savers ensure that flip flop sandals remain comfortably in place throughout a day's activities. Enabling all consumers to enjoy the comfort and stylish fashion associated with flip flops without risking losing their sandals in the process, Sandal Savers provide a practical and durable safety tool.

Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 

1. A strap fastener for thong or flip flop style sandals, wherein the sandals comprise a sole, a toe divider post and two side straps extending from the toe divider post and fastening to the sole approximately midway between the toe and the heel of the sole, wherein the strap fastener comprises: a strap fastener configured for use with thong or flip flop style sandals, wherein the strap fastener wraps around a wearer's heel and connects to existing side straps extending from a toe divider post, adding a secure heel strap that prevents a sandal from sliding off a wearer's foot.
 2. The strap fastener of claim 1 wherein the strap fastener, comprises an elongated single piece of stretchy elastic or comparable banding that is sized appropriately to bridge the distance between a side strap from a toe divider post of a sandal around a wearer's heel and back to the a second side strap from a toe divider post.
 3. The strap fastener of claim 2, further comprising a lightweight plastic or rubber hook like fastener at each end of the strap fastener wherein the hook is affixed to each toe strap, securing the Sandal Savers in place on the sandal.
 4. The strap fastener of claim 3, further comprising a cylindrically shaped button adjuster knob secured over the toe strap center, to facilitate a firm and secure hold during wear, allowing a user to loosen or tighten the strap as necessary.
 5. The strap fastener of claim 2, wherein the strap is manufactured in a variety of neutral hues and vibrant colors to complement existing flip flops and thongs.
 6. The strap fastener of claim 3, wherein the strap is manufactured in a variety of neutral hues and vibrant colors to complement existing flip flops and thongs.
 7. The strap fastener of claim 4, wherein the adjustable fastener utilized to secure the strap is manufactured in contrasting or coordinating colors to the strap, lending a decorative touch to the overall design of the unit.
 8. The strap fastener of claim 3 produced in three different sizes to accommodate adults, teens and children. 